Terms of Reference

Unit 1 Redfish (Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus) update in 2023

Regional Peer Review - Quebec Region

January 24, 2024

Mont-Joli, QC

Chairperson: Geneviève Parent

Context

The Fishery management sector of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested an update for Unit 1 Redfish. Units 1 and 2 Redfish stocks are prescribed under section 6 of the Fisheries Act. Redfish in Units 1 and 2 consists of two different stocks: Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus. These stocks are distributed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as well as in the Laurentian Channel and Laurentian Fan regions. Based on the last science advice (DFO 2022), S. mentella and S. fasciatus biomasses are among the highest values of the time series and fish larger than the minimum regulatory size of 22 cm accounted for over 85% of the biomass. The main purpose of the meeting is to determine a range of potential removals for Unit 1 Redfish. The last stock assessment was conducted in February and March 2022.

Objectives

Provide advice on:

• Fisheries catch length frequencies in Unit 1 and from the survey in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence
• Stock status and spawning stock biomass trends relative to the reference points for S. mentella and S. fasciatus based on the survey in the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence
• Range of potential removals of S. mentella and S. fasciatus in Unit 1.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Resources management sectors)
• Provincial governments
• Academia
• Indigenous communities/organizations
• Fishing industry
• Environmental non-government organizations

References

• DFO. 2022. Redfish (Sebastes mentella and Sebastes fasciatus) Stocks Assessment in Units 1 and 2 in 2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2022/039.